Friday, February 27, 2015

The Dinner in Matrix Crystal Hunters by Janice Seagraves

A science fiction romance

“What happened?”
Maya set her pack to the side. “I’ve asked before, but I never get a straight
answer out of anyone.”

Vach picked up
the tote from where he had left it earlier and pulled out some food, followed
by a grate that went over the fire. “The ancients produced great technology,
similar to your own. By doing so, they angered the Great Mother. They didn't
seem to realize that by damaging our world, they harmed her. The priestesses
called a council meeting of all the clan members, along with the ancients, but
the ancients wouldn't listen to the wisdom of the Goddess.”

He cut up some
meat, then carefully worked a skewer through the long, thin pieces. Setting the
meat carefully over the fire, he repositioned the skewers so there was some
room in between each one. “A battle began. Those in favor of technology against
those who supported the Goddess.”

She stared into
the fire, trying to picture the meeting in her mind. “Is that what started the
battle? The ancients and their technology lost?”

He cut up some
veggies and dropped them into a skillet. “Everyone lost, Maya.”

She leaned toward
him. “But… your people?”

“We were reduced
to an agrarian society. All the old technology was lost when our great cities
were destroyed.” He made a wide gesture with his knife. “What you see out there
is what happened to our planet after the battle.”

“The desert?” Her
heart sank. Something really bad happened
here.

“It was wetlands
before that battle.”

Maya shook her
head. “I’m afraid that’s where my planet is heading. We’re just one war away
from annihilation.”

“Let’s hope not.”
He poured a bit of oil into the pan, stirring the veggies. Reaching across, he
turned the meat over.

“What are you
cooking?” She looked the food over. “It looks like shish kabobs and stir-fry.”

“I don’t know
what that is.” He flipped the food in the skillet. “It’s just something I like
to cook over a campfire.” Bringing out a plate, he served Maya, then himself.

“Good.” Maya
nodded, taking a bite.

“You like it?”

“Yes.” She smiled
at him. She wondered what else he did that was as good as his cooking. Her gaze was drawn to the muscular chest
revealed by the slit in his shirt’s neckline. He looked as if he lived a very
active life, but his silk clothes bespoke wealth. Going after her the way he
did said more loudly than anything that he liked to have things his own way. Pushy men make bad companions and worse
lovers.

“What’s next on
the agenda?” He took a bite of the meat on the skewer.

“Get out of the
mountains, pack up my stuff from the old building and then go home.” She
glanced over to him. It’ll be interesting
to see where he lives. “Where did you want me to drop you off?”

He stared at her
a moment. “I’m staying with you. Don’t you understand? I’m your servant for a
year and a day.”

Maya groaned. “I
don’t have room for you. I live with someone.”

“Yes, I know,
Momma Roosa.” He stabbed some of the veggies with the three-pronged fork. “She
also raised six children and still has the bedrooms to prove it. There will be
a bed for me. Although, being your servant, I’ll sleep on the floor of your
bedroom.”

“No, absolutely
not.” She shook her head. “If I have to get up to use the bathroom in the
middle of the night, I might step on you.”

Vach chuckled.
“I’m willing to take that chance.”

She stared. “I’m
not.”

He grinned.
“What’s the matter? You don’t want me to see you in your sleeping clothes?”

“Humph, it’s not
like my jammies are sexy or anything. As you know, you’ve already seen them.”

“Oh, those pant
things.” He wrinkled up his nose.

“Yes, we call
them pajamas, PJs or jammies.” She plucked at her jeans. “They’re comfortable to
sleep in.”

“I sleep naked.”

“What?” She
noticed his teasing grin. Is he kidding?
“If you’re sleeping on the floor of my room, you’re not.”

His grin
deepened. “So, I am sleeping on your floor?”

“No, I… Huh?” She glanced back to him, her face
filled with heat. God, he did it to me
again. “Well, if you keep insisting on going home with me, then I guess
we’ll see if Momma Roosa has a bedroom for you.”

“All right. Are
you done?” He gestured to her plate.

“Oh, yes.” She
handed her plate over. “It was very good. I ate all of it before I realized
it.”

In Crystal Flower Christmas: Vach and Maya are on a mission to undam the Laonooco River for the drought stricken region. As heartache fractures their marriage, will the gift of a crystal flower mend their relationship or break it beyond repair?

In Crystal Clear Christmas: Plague has struck the village of Zama and the citizens blame the only human left on Zenevieva, Maya. Will Vach make the ultimate sacrifice to save his wife?